 mightyreasoner
Messages: 508
Registered: October 2005
Location: Edmonton
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I think it's very fair to question is Patrick Russell is a legitimate NHL player. I would suggest he is not, and I think stats of any sort would back that up.
If he is signed with the intention of playing in Bakersfield (because the cupboards are bare), fine. I don't care if he is making $7000 or $700000 if it doesn't have cap implications.
But I don't think that is the case. Tippett inexplicably plays this guy often and in my opinion, he hasn't done anything to really earn that playing time. So I think he is here to take up an NHL roster spot when there are countless better options out there. For example, I'd much rather have Sam Gagner back here than Patrick Russell. That's one example.
So if the Oilers signed him for the AHL, fine. It's one of their 50 contracts, but there are worse players on one of those 50 contracts... At least he could help in Bakersfield. But if the plan is for him to play in the NHL - and I think it is - in my opinion that has to do with blind love from Tippet that I just don't share. There's better options out there. A lot of them.
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